Ryan McWherter, Executive Director of Madera County Food Bank, is organizing an event for Saturday called “March Against Drugs and Gangs.”
This event is open to all who want to participate. The march will begin at 6 p.m. at McNally Park, 825 S. A Street in Madera, and will end at Courthouse Park.
“We started this march in 2010,” McWherter said. “But I got busy with the Food Bank, and it hasn’t been done for a lot of years.”
He said there is a growing need for awareness. So many young people are affected by drugs, and the community can come together and unite for a safer community.
The end of the march, in Courthouse Park, will be worship, testimonies, prayer booths, face paintings, and haircuts.
Participating in the event, besides McWherter, will be public officials — Supervisor Leticia Gonzales, Madera Mayor Cece Gallegos, and Madera Chief of Police Gino Chiaramonte.
McWherter is encouraging community members, families, youth, educators, and local leaders to join together to promote peace, hope, and a drug- and gang-free future.
“Together we can build stronger and safer neighborhoods. Every step counts,” he said.